The Use and Abuse of Statistical Techniques

Abstract

Statistics is a highly complicated and fast evolving subject. This book and its companion have dealt with only the more elementary and commonly used techniques. A great many advanced or specialised techniques have had to be left out in the interest of clarity and to save space. Despite this limitation it should be clear what sorts of problems statistics aims to solve, and the kinds of solutions it offers. The one general issue that remains to be discussed is the extent to which statistics achieves its aims. Ever since its inception, there has been controversy concerning the practical utility of its techniques and their basic logic. The boldest critics have dismissed the subject as a gigantic confidence trick, its techniques mere mathematical mumbo-jumbo. Such criticism is so obviously unfair there is no need to dwell on it. Other complaints have been raised, however, that do require detailed investigation.